Fowey River Practice

13/09/2025

🩸 Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to infection. Act fast if you notice:

• Slurred speech or confusion
• Extreme shivering or muscle pain
• Passing little or no urine
• Severe breathlessness
• Skin mottled, bluish, or very pale

These symptoms require immediate medical attention.

Learn more:
https://ow.ly/gpXS50WVGrz
https://ow.ly/8Vxb50WVGry

Slurred speech or confusion, extreme shivering or muscle pain, passing no urine (in a day), severe breathlessness or sleepiness, and more.

10/09/2025

🕯 World Su***de Prevention Day – 10 September
Thoughts of self‑harm or su***de can be deeply distressing—and often, people don’t reach out for help. You are not alone and help is available.

This resource offers vital information and guidance:
https://ow.ly/Rz4f50WTO8P

UK Helplines — available to you now:

• Samaritans (24/7, free & confidential): Call 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org
• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): For anyone in crisis, call 0800 58 58 58 (5 pm–midnight daily)
• National Su***de Prevention Helpline UK: Call 0800 689 5652 (6 pm–midnight daily)
• Papyrus HOPELINEUK (under‑35s or concerned loved ones): 0800 068 4141 (24/7), or text 07786 209 697
• Shout (24/7 text support): Text SHOUT to 85258

You do not need to face these feelings alone—support is available, free, and just a call or text away.

08/09/2025

⚕️ High blood pressure, often called the “silent killer,” usually has no obvious symptoms — yet it is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.

📊 Regularly checking your blood pressure is one of the most important steps you can take for your long-term health. Small lifestyle changes such as improving your diet, increasing activity, and reducing salt can make a significant difference.

📽 Watch this evidence-based video to learn practical strategies to reduce blood pressure: https://ow.ly/awCA50WQqRH

ℹ️ Find more resources and advice here: https://ow.ly/9iAH50WQqRJ

1.5 million1.5 million people have had a free blood pressure check during our annual Know Your Numbers! Week, the UK’s biggest blood pressure testing and awareness event.

05/09/2025

🌟 Discover Social Prescribing at Bosvena Health & Fowey River Practice!

Did you know we can now help you improve your wellbeing through community support, not just prescriptions?

What is Social Prescribing?
It’s a way for your GP, nurse, or care team to connect you with non-medical services and activities that support your mental, emotional, and social health — like exercise groups, arts classes, budgeting advice, or befriending projects

Why it matters:
- Tackles issues linked to social isolation, stress, debt, or loneliness
- Offers meaningful alternatives or additions to medication where needed
- Helps you rediscover purpose, build confidence, and enhance resilience

How it works at our practices:
- You speak with your GP or nurse about how you're feeling
- You’re referred to a Social Prescribing Link Worker who asks, “What matters to you?”
- Together, you co-create a personal plan and connect with local services that fit your needs

Examples of Social Prescribing in action:
In Gloucestershire, some patients with mild to moderate depression received Forest Green Rovers football tickets, helping lift their mood and spark social engagement

🏥 Interested?
Talk to your GP or clinic team about whether social prescribing could benefit you. It’s a caring, community-focused path to better wellbeing.

05/09/2025

🤒 Is My Child Too Ill for School?

Sniffles or something more serious? It’s not always easy to tell when your child should stay home or head to class.

The NHS has clear guidance to help you decide – and to protect other children from spreading illness.

📌 Check the advice here:https://patient.info/news-and-features/when-is-your-child-too-sick-to-go-to-school?utm_source=MSMS

Let’s keep everyone healthy this term!

Deciding when to keep your child away from school is tricky. Here's what the experts say about when a kid is too ill for school.

04/09/2025

🌍 World Sexual Health Day – 4 September 2025
This year’s theme, "Sexual Justice: What Can We Do?", reminds us that access to accurate and inclusive sexual health care is a basic right for all. Learn more:
🔗 https://worldsexualhealthday.org/world-sexual-health-day-2025/

💊 Curious about the combined contraceptive pill? It’s one of the most reliable forms of contraception. Find out how it works, who can use it, and the benefits here:
🔗 https://www.nhs.uk/contraception/methods-of-contraception/combined-pill/

🌐 Looking for trustworthy sexual health information, from contraception to STIs and relationships?
Explore resources at Patient.info:
🔗 https://patient.info/sexual-health?utm_source=MSMS

31/08/2025

🕯️ International Overdose Awareness Day – 31 August

Today we remember the lives lost to overdose and stand with families, friends, and communities affected around the world.

Overdose can affect anyone – from any background, at any age. Let’s work together to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and take action.

🟣 Learn more and get involved:
https://www.overdoseday.com/

💜 We remember. We act.

29/08/2025

🤰 Just found out you’re expecting? Start your pregnancy care today! You can now refer yourself directly to NHS maternity services using a simple online form—no GP appointment required. If you're over 10 weeks, it's still absolutely okay to apply.

A midwife will contact you to set up your first appointment (ideally by 10 weeks, but sooner is always better).

Find your nearest service and get started here:

Pregnancy care (also called antenatal care) is the care you have while you're pregnant to help keep you and your baby as healthy as possible.You do not usually need to see a GP. If you're registered with a GP, they'll be told about your pregnancy after your first midwife appointment. Information: If...

27/08/2025

☀️ Prickly heat got you feeling uncomfortable?
Heat rash can cause small, itchy red spots—often in skin folds or under clothing.

💡 Top tips to prevent & soothe:
👕 Wear loose, light clothes
❄️ Stay cool & dry
🚿 Take cool showers
💧 Drink plenty of fluids

Keep safe in the heat & look after your skin.
More info from the NHS 👉 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-rash-prickly-heat/

Find out about heat rash, also called prickly heat or miliaria rubra, which is an itchy rash of small, raised spots and a stinging or prickling sensation on the skin.

26/08/2025

Flu & COVID Vaccinations; Autumn/Winter 2025/26 💉

Next week we will start to invite eligible patients to book in for their flu and COVID vaccinations. We will be sending invites for self-booking links, emails, letters & telephone calls.

Patients eligible for a COVID vaccine;
- Aged 75 and over
- Immunosuppressed (as defined by the green book)
- Resident in an older adult care home

Patients eligible for a Flu vaccine;
- Adults aged 65 and over
- Pregnant women
- Carers and frontline health/social care workers
- Patients with long term health conditions

Key dates;
- From the 1st September; pregnant and eligible children will be able to have their flu vaccine.
- From the 1st October; all other eligible adults will be able to have their flu or Covid vaccine.

We’re expecting our flu delivery mid-September.

If you’re attending for a COVID vaccine, we will offer your flu vaccine at the same time.

Next week if you do not receive an invitation but think you are eligible for either vaccine, please speak to our reception team.

If you are able to use your self-book link, we would be grateful that you do so that our phones line can be freed up for other patients who are unable to use the link.

Please avoid calling before 10am if you would like support booking your vaccine appointments. Please be aware our phones lines may be busier than normal.

25/08/2025

🐜 Got Head Lice? Here’s What You Need to Know

Head lice are common, especially in children, but they’re not a sign of poor hygiene. They can be tricky to get rid of without the right treatment.

Learn how to spot, treat, and prevent head lice effectively:
https://ow.ly/GJy850WK6jF

Patient Info Learning - https://ow.ly/WE0w50WK6jE
Video - https://ow.ly/LrYN50WK6jf

Stay informed and keep those pesky lice at bay!

They're tiny, but ever so troublesome. Head lice are one of the unavoidable consequences of school, regardless of how clean you keep your child's hair.

25/08/2025

Summer Bank Holiday Closure 🌞

GP practices are closed today – Monday 25th August – for the Summer Bank Holiday.
⏰ Normal opening hours will resume on Tuesday 26th August.

Need help while we’re closed?
📞 Call NHS 111 for medical advice.
🚑 Call 999 in an emergency.

Wishing everyone a safe and healthy Bank Holiday!